Zamgwar's
"My 2 Cents!"

Magical End of the Year Special

This
article appeared in the
December 24, 2001, Issue #118 of ALL EARS®
(ISSN: 1533-0753)

It's easy
to forget what things are all about. What you were so upset about this
morning. What the book you read last month was all about. It's also possible,
in this time of layoffs and mothballed hotels, to forget what that 40
square miles of Florida known as Disney World is all about.

With apologies
to Dr. Seuss for borrowing his rhyme scheme, there are many things, that
while related to Disney World, are not what it's really all about.

It's not
about Mickey or snow globe parades. Nor breakfasts, or lunches, or new
pins to trade. It's not about light bulbs or things that once were, or
oversized characters covered with fur.

It's not
about steam boats with whistles that blow, or will there be new rides
next time that you go. It isn't about Peter, Tink, Hook or the Croc, Nor
about profits, and mergers, and stock.

It's not
marketing surveys, what's right and what's wrong. Or when you can go,
when the lines aren't too long. Not Dole Whips, or Churros or iced Kaki
Gori, or Pressler or Eisner in some newspaper story.

It's not
about Muppets who appear in 3D, or about Pooh, where Toad used to be It's
not Bashful, or Grumpy or Sleepy or Doc, or colorful lions that live at
Pride Rock

It's not
The Castle, the colors, or some new plush toy fad (It's not? It's not?
Surely Zamgwar's gone mad!) It's not that a century's passed since Walt's
birth or a park filled with animals, or a celebration of Earth.

It isn't
character photos, with The Beast or with Belle, or even if Main Street
has that cookie dough smell. Not The Tree of Life's carvings, or a salute
to show biz. But there is one thing it's about, that it certainly is!

It's about
magic!

Not the kind
of magic that makes rabbits appear from hats. But the kind of magic that
can stir the soul.

In an adult's
eyes, the sights, sounds and smells of the Mouse can work magic on a faded
memory. They bring back a time long ago, when Walt filled the screen on
Sunday nights and Uncle Henny told you not to sit too close to the old
RCA because it had radiation. It reminds you of when Mom was THE Mom,
and if your KITCHEN smelled of cookie dough, you might get to lick the
bowl.

In the spring
and summer, the fresh cut grass and fragrant roses of Disney World's wondrous
landscaping can whisk you to backyard days of scabby knees, and cardboard
refrigerator box rocket ships.

In its winter
holiday splendor, you might recall the pictures askew on the wall and
a trail of pine needles on the floor, signaling that Dad had recently
dragged a Christmas tree through on its way to the living room.

Disney World's
attractions bring to life long ago ViewMaster 3D pictures of Disneyland.
Pictures you might have looked at in youthful amazement before drifting
off to sleep, to dream of a far away with where the Matterhorn was a ride,
and monorails were real.

During the
clackety-clack of Big Thunder Railroad, as it climbs the first hill, you
may catch a glimpse of a child, clutching his big brother's hand. The
sight might suddenly transport you back to your own brother's side, at
parks with names like "Playland" or "Palisades" or
"Freedomland". Then as the wind blows through your hair on its
descent, it peels back decades, compelling you to seek out a hug from
an oversized mouse.

A pause on
a bench in Epcot can stir the feelings of amazement that were part of
a childhood family trip to a glorious World's Fair. A place where the
wonders of the future, and the beauty of the cultures of the world, shared
the same stage.

Whenever
age works its cynical, critical ways on us, it's important to remember
what it's like to be a kid, in a place where fairies fly overhead, every
day is the Fourth of July, and bedtime stories come to life. In the eyes
of a child, even the awful Big Hat may just be the most "splendiferous"
thing they've ever seen. Remember, to a 6-year-old, causing Dumbo to soar
skyward at the pull of a handle, or seeing a bright red steam engine pull
into Main Street station *is* an E-ticket attraction.

That's because
Disney's magic never seems to fail on kids. They still believe everyone,
regardless of appearance, is a potential pal, the good guys always win,
and every story has a happy ending. To the young, and young at heart,
the magic is in how they feel in surroundings that to them are, like Mary
Poppins, "practically perfect in every way".

It only fails
on people who may have lost the magic of childhood, in themselves. For
as I've always said, it isn't the place that makes the magic, it's the
people.

If you can
keep the Magic of childhood alive inside of you, it will keep not only
DisneyWorld, but the real world, a wonderful Carousel of Color, and tomorrow
will always be just a dream away.

And THAT'S
what it's all about!

On behalf
of the entire staff of ALL EARS® and all its contributors, I wish you a
Merry Christmas, a Happy Chanukah, A Joyful Kwanzaa, a Super Solstice,
a Blessed Ramadan, and a happy, safe and Healthy New Year.